Hi guys. New poster here. I just picked up a '98 2500 4x4 with the 5.9L V8 and automatic. It has 65K on it and is in really good shape. I was driving it home tonight and found that first gear hangs for a while before shifting to second. It varies, but it's usually around 3000 RPM, then it drops into second. Sometimes I can lift and it'll shift earlier, but it's still hanging longer than I think it should. It's also very eager to downshift back into first after going into second with just a little more throttle pressure. But otherwise, the transmission performs flawlessly.

Is this the death knell for the transmission or is it a simple adjustment that can be fine tuned? Are these electronically controlled transmissions or could the kickdown cable be misadjusted? Any thoughts?

 

Yeah, they are electronically controlled. Make sure the tranny has been serviced recently with the proper fluid. Probably ATF+4, not positive on a 3/4 ton. Check with a dealer for the proper fluid type. Not sure why it is "hanging up", many of us have had issues with the "Throttle Position Sensor" on the throttle body going bad and causing tranny problems. this is a $35 part at normal part stores and takes you 5 minutes to change it. Might be something to try. Do a forum search on the cable adjustment thing, there should be something here on that.

 

The person ypu got it from could have adjusted the TV cable. That can change shift points a bit.

 

Adjusting the TV cable made it 90% better. The shift points are much more reasonable and it isn't so quick to downshift at part throttle. It still hangs a little more than I would prefer, but it is vastly better than it was. It was adjusted almost to the tightest setting, so loosening it up a bit helped tremendously.

I also went to the dealer and picked up some ATF+4 and a filter for the transmission fluid change later this week. I'm thinking about a shift kit, just in case. Any suggestions?

Thanks for all the advice on getting it to shift correctly. What a relief!

 

trans go shift kit. no other.